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Fianna Fáil’s Pensions Motion nothing more than a ‘political stunt’– John Brady TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Social Protection John Brady TD has said that Fianna Fáil’s pension motion debated this evening was 'nothing more than a political stunt.'

Speaking following the debate, Teachta Brady said:

“In December 2016, Sinn Féin brought forward the Pension Equality & Fairness motion calling on the Government to restore the pension bands and rates to their pre-September 2012 position. Fianna Fáil refused to support this motion.

“Ten months later, we have a motion from Fianna Fáil calling for the same thing that they refused to support only last year.

“While, it is unfortunate that Fianna Fáil did not see fit to support our motion on this issue last December, Sinn Féin welcomes this motion from Fianna Fáil albeit late in the day.

“We have submitted an amendment to this motion to include another cohort of people who have been unfairly treated by Government. We want to see the State Pension Transition restored to end the farce of 65 year olds being forced onto Jobseekers payments, as oppose to accessing their State Pension.

“The longer these issues are allowed to go on, the more expensive they will become to rectify because more and more people will be impacted.

“Both the restoration of the pre-September 2012 pension bands and rates and the State Pension Transition are included in Sinn Féin’s Alternative Budget, fully costed by the Department of Finance. It’s a shame Fianna Fáil’s own Budget proposals failed to propose either.

“This motion is a stunt by Fianna Fáil, nothing more, nothing less. Fianna Fáil has had ample opportunity to address these anomalies and time and time again, they have chosen not to.

“This motion is not only opportunistic on the part of Fianna Fáil but it shows a real contempt for older people who are being punished disgracefully.”